Self-driving startup Drive.ai bought by Apple

ChiragM · 27th June 2019, 18:22

According to a media report, Apple has bought self-driving startup Drive.ai. The report suggests that Drive.ai was on the verge of shutting down and was planning to lay off its 90 employees.

Self-driving startup Drive.ai bought by Apple-driving-1.jpg

Drive.ai was founded by machine learning researchers from Stanford University in 2015. The company operates a ride-hailing service using modified autonomous Nissan NV200 vehicles fitted with LED screens on the outside to warn pedestrians and other motorists. The vehicles are allowed to run in a limited area in Arlington, Texas.

It is reported that Apple has bought the company's assets, including the autonomous cars. It is unclear if Drive.ai's employees will be absorbed by Apple or will be laid off. The acquisition is expected to help Apple's Project Titan, which aims to build an electric, autonomous car.

Source: The Verge

Link to Team-BHP News

GTO · 28th June 2019, 08:09

Would've been a cheap deal, since drive.ai was on the verge of a shutdown & "on sale" since a while. And not like it would make any difference to Apple which has ENORMOUS cash reserves. Apple might be interested in the talent pool of drive.ai more than anything else. This is a talent acquisition (and maybe patents, if drive.ai had any).

27th June 2019, 18:22	#1
ChiragM Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,546 Thanked: 17,346 Times	Self-driving startup Drive.ai bought by Apple According to a media report, Apple has bought self-driving startup Drive.ai. The report suggests that Drive.ai was on the verge of shutting down and was planning to lay off its 90 employees. Drive.ai was founded by machine learning researchers from Stanford University in 2015. The company operates a ride-hailing service using modified autonomous Nissan NV200 vehicles fitted with LED screens on the outside to warn pedestrians and other motorists. The vehicles are allowed to run in a limited area in Arlington, Texas. It is reported that Apple has bought the company's assets, including the autonomous cars. It is unclear if Drive.ai's employees will be absorbed by Apple or will be laid off. The acquisition is expected to help Apple's Project Titan, which aims to build an electric, autonomous car. Source: The Verge Link to Team-BHP News
	(1) Thanks

28th June 2019, 08:09	#2
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,497 Thanked: 300,308 Times View My Garage	Re: Self-driving startup Drive.ai bought by Apple Would've been a cheap deal, since drive.ai was on the verge of a shutdown & "on sale" since a while. And not like it would make any difference to Apple which has ENORMOUS cash reserves. Apple might be interested in the talent pool of drive.ai more than anything else. This is a talent acquisition (and maybe patents, if drive.ai had any).
	() Thanks